Statement from Carl Beer – Chief Executive of MRWA

I am pleased to say that across the City Region, 13 out of 16 Household Waste Recycling Centres will be open at 8.00 am on the morning of Monday 4th May 2020. Residents will be able to access 11 Merseyside sites plus both sites in Halton.

Many thanks go to all MRWA, Veolia, and Council and Police staff involved in the lengthy and challenging preparations. Thank you as well to Halton Council, staff and elected members for synchronising with the Authority’s plans for a unified approach. I appreciate the great work undertaken by all concerned.

The three sites that are exceptions to the reopening are:

· Rainhill, St. Helens
· Formby, Sefton
· Sefton Meadows, Sefton

These sites will remain closed, pending further detailed discussions with local councils and the Police to ensure safe traffic management arrangements are implemented. Watch this space on those sites.

We have all our arrangements in place and we are good to go Monday 4th May. We will however have to see how it goes. We’ll have MRWA and Veolia staff monitoring every site – as well as updating our website and social media feeds every day with what is happening on the ground. We also appreciate that our colleagues in Council Highways teams and the Police will also be monitoring, particularly traffic and surrounding roads to our sites.

If we have insurmountable problems with any site, I will endeavour to speak to MRWA Members before any decision to further restrict or close any site. I very much hope that doesn’t happen, but we know we have some very difficult traffic and operational challenges on certain sites and safety must come first.

Recycling Centres reopening – Frequently Asked Questions

To help you plan your visit we’ve put together a range of the most FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS below:

Why are certain Centres are closed?

Our Rainhill Centre is currently closed. The opening is under review and we are working with the Council and Police to ensure a safe opening of the site.

Our Clatterbridge site on the Wirral is open but will be closed temporarily on Wednesday 6th May to enable traffic light repair and maintenance and will reopen on Thursday 7th May.

Sefton Meadows and Formby will remain closed, pending further detailed discussions with local councils and the Police to ensure safe traffic management arrangements are implemented

Will I have to book a slot to visit the sites?

No we are not operation a booking system

Will the sites be busy?

We expect all our sites to be exceptionally busy, so if your journey is not essential and your waste can wait, we’d advise postponing your visit for now.

How long will I have to queue at the site?

The queues expected at our sites mean that you could be waiting a long time at some sites – you may have to queue for several hours

Do you have any way for residents to see how long the the queues are at sites – via camera or on your website?

We will endeavour to provide updates of queue times each day which we will place on our website.

How many cars will be allowed on site?

There will be restrictions on site and there will only be a few cars allowed on site at any one time. Please follow staff instructions.

What are the social distancing restrictions in place?

You will be directed to a designated space and you will be expected to follow the social distancing rules as instructed. Where possible a one way system will be marked and designated on each site.

What can I bring to site?

The full range of household waste and recyclable materials can be brought to sites

What if I have waste relating to coronavirus infection?

If any households have had COVID-19 symptoms the residual waste should be double bagged and left for 72 hours before being putting in your residual bin or brought to site in accordance with Public Health England guidance.

Can I walk waste onto site?

Walk in access with waste will not be allowed.

Will anyone on site be able to help unload?

Don’t bring large or heavy items – staff will not be able to help you unload your car due social distancing restrictions.

Is the Permit Scheme in operation at sites?

The Commercial Vehicle Permit Scheme is temporarily suspended and vans and large trailers will not be able to access sites. If your vehicle would not normally need a permit, please assume that it will be allowed on site. This will be kept under review.

Can I come to site in a van or bring a large trailer?

Vans, large trailers and commercial vehicles will not be allowed on sites when they open from Monday 4th May. We are keeping this decision under review and hope to be able to start to provide access got these types of vehicles through our Permit Scheme in the near future.

I have a small trailer (less than 2 metres) can I bring that to the site?

Small Trailers (those less than 2 metres) that do not usually need a permit will be allowed on site.

How many people can be in the car?

One person per car to visit our sites – If you need someone else to drive the car or need help with your waste, one person from your household can accompany you. However only one person will be allowed out of the car to dispose of the waste.

Can I bring my children with me?

Do not bring children to site unless you really have to. If you do bring children they will not be allowed to leave the car.

Are there any traffic restrictions at the site or on the surrounding roads?

There will be queues and there may be restrictions on the highways and roads leading up to the sites, there will be traffic marshals at most sites and we ask people to adhere to any advice they may give.

Check if your Recycling Centre is open

Councillors on the Authority have decided to open with restrictions and subject to traffic management plans being in place for each site.

(*These sites are delayed in opening pending further discussions with the Council and Merseyside Police to ensure safe traffic management arrangements can be implemented.)

MRWA along with its contractor Veolia will be implementing clear operating guidelines with respect to the necessity of visits, social distancing on site and queuing. Our priority at all times is the safety of residents and the hard working staff at all of our Centres.

● The number of vehicles allowed on site will be restricted, and queuing times will be significantly higher.

● Cars only

● One person per vehicle (NB. Blue Badge holders will be able to be accompanied by one family member)

● No vans, commercial-type vehicles or large trailers.

● Social distancing of at least 2 metres will be strictly enforced.

● Site Employees will not be able to assist with unloading.

● Sites will be open 8.00 am – 8.00 pm every day.

If households have had COVID-19 symptoms then waste should be left for at least 72 hours before disposal and personal waste should be safely double bagged. Place it in your normal bin collection if you can.

“WASTE CAN WAIT” New campaign provides advice on how to manage your household waste during movement restrictions

Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MRWA) are launching their “WASTE CAN WAIT” campaign today (Wednesday 8th April 2020) to help and support residents with their household, food and green waste problems during the coronavirus restrictions.

Carl Beer, MRWA Chief Executive said: “We know that it’s difficult for all Liverpool City Region residents at the moment with our Household Waste Recycling Centres closed, and in some cases things like green and garden waste collections suspended.

“The “WASTE CAN WAIT” campaign will provide a range of help, information and signposting on a range of subjects including how to manage food waste – tips and recipes for using up leftovers and store cupboard items, home composting and making the best use of your green waste, as well as some important information for to help residents to better manage their household waste during this challenging time.”

The campaign will provide advice for the day to day issues and will help residents think differently about the waste they are producing during the social restrictions.

Cllr Tony Concepcion, MRWA Chairperson said: “ We know during the lockdown it’s tempting to start all of those DIY jobs that have been put off for so long – or have that spring clean and clear out. But what we want residents to consider is where all that waste and recycling will go – we think “WASTE CAN WAIT” and we’d encourage them to store it safely if they really need to undertake these activities.

“Ideally postpone them until our Recycling Centres are back open, and our kerbside collections are back to full strength, and we’ll be glad to help you to dispose and recycle.”

The “WASTE CAN WASTE” campaign can be heard via local radio (Radio City, City Talk and Greatest Hits Radio) and seen on web and social media at www.merseysidewda.gov.uk and @MerseysideRWA

WASTE CAN WAIT! Managing your waste and recycling while at home

With the government advising many of us to stay at home it might be an idea to try and manage the amount of waste being created in your household. We’ve put together a list of tips, advice and ideas that might help keep your bin from over-flowing.

· Our Recycling Centres are closed at the minute so maybe now isn’t the time for major DIY or big home improvements. Please try and keep your household waste down to a minimum and maybe put off those big projects for the time being.

· Similarly, please keep any bulky household waste that needs to go to one of our Recycling Centres safe, dry and secure for when we reopen.

· Please keep electrical items out of any of your bins at home – hang onto them until we reopen!

· Noticed an item of clothing has a hole in? Can you repair it? Have a look online for video guides on how to repair clothes – and you might learn a new skill!

· All textiles can be recycled so please put them aside until you can take them to a donation point OR reuse old fabrics as cloths to use instead of disposable wipes· If you need to go food shopping don’t forget to bring your own reusable bags.

· We all need to make sure we aren’t wasting any food so remember to store food correctly – read the label if you aren’t sure. Use your fridge and freezer and use up leftovers where you can. For more food ideas take a look at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.

· We still want your household recycling – but when putting it in your bin remember to leave it loose, don’t bag the items. If you aren’t sure visit www.recycleright.org.uk.

· If you can compost grass cuttings and hedge trimmings please do so, and if you can’t do that then keep your garden waste until we reopen. Want a home composter? Visit www.getcomposting.com for great deals.

· Please don’t leave any waste outside the Recycling Centres! Leaving waste outside the Recycling Centres or anywhere else is classed as fly tipping and is a criminal offence for which people could be prosecuted.

· Regularly check your local council’s website for updates on changes to collections where you live.

Coronavirus update – Monday 27th April 2020

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority reopened eleven Household Waste Recycling Centres on Monday 4th May 2020. Councillors on the Authority have decided to open with restrictions and subject to traffic management plans being in place for each site.

The Authority is currently working with Council Highways Departments and the Police on their respective plans.

MRWA along with its contractor Veolia will be implementing clear operating guidelines with respect to the necessity of visits, social distancing on site and queuing. Our priority at all times is the safety of residents and the hard working staff at all of our Centres.

The restrictions will be:

● The number of vehicles allowed on site will be restricted, and queuing times will be significantly higher.

● Cars only

● One person per vehicle (NB. Blue Badge holders will be able to be accompanied by one family member)

● No vans, commercial-type vehicles or large trailers.

● Social distancing of at least 2 metres will be strictly enforced.

● Site Employees will not be able to assist with unloading.

● Sites will be open 8.00 am – 8.00 pm every day.

If households have had COVID-19 symptoms then waste should be left for at least 72 hours before disposal and personal waste should be safely double bagged. Place it in your normal bin collection if you can.

Both the Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Council Mayor, Joe Anderson support the decision taken to reopen the sites.

Steve Rotheram said: “All leaders are supporting this decision. We recognise that the Waste Authority has to reopen the sites with safety as a priority, and we are urging residents to check the restrictions on the MRWA website and be prepared for very long waiting times.”

Joe Anderson said: “I commend the decision to open the sites with social distancing, we are doing this to avoid waste becoming a problem at home. Please only travel if it is essential and follow the instructions given to you by staff on site.”

For more information please check MRWA’s website www.merseysidewda.gov.uk and social media @MerseysideRWA

We’d like to thank all residents for their understanding and patience during this challenging time.

WASTE CAN WAIT! Get composting and reduce green waste

The government is advising as many of us as possible to stay home as much as we can in order to help key workers, relieve strain on the NHS and ultimately stop us getting sick.

It’s a difficult time we’re living through, but we can all help each other as family, friends, neighbours and as a community.

With so many of us at home it’s inevitable that household waste will increase, which puts pressure on the waste collection, recycling and disposal network. In addition, carbon associated waste in particular is an added worry in that it has the potential to cause changes to the climate.

So one way we can all help is to keep waste at a minimum.

Get composting!

We’ve already written some advice about keeping household waste down (see link here) and about managing food and reducing food waste (see link here), but here you’ll find information all about composting at home.

Home composting is a great way to keep your garden clippings and your kitchen food waste out of the bin. You can put in all sorts including garden clippings, flowers, fruit peelings, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, ripped up cardboard, tissues.

It is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce and lessen carbon emissions – research shows that a third of the contents of the average bin can be composted! (The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations said that if food waste was a country, it would be the third largest emitter of carbon after China and the US (Source: www.fao.org/sustainable-food-value-chains/library/details/en/c/266219/)

Recycling nature

Composting is nature’s own way of recycling. By converting your kitchen and garden waste into compost you will not only reduce the amount of material you’re putting into your household bin, but as a bonus you will also cut the amount of methane and carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere – significant greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

The end product is also a great nutrition feed for your garden and plants and a soil improver!

What can I compost?

A lot of people think that garden waste is the only thing that you can put into your compost bin. But there are actually loads more everyday organic waste items from your home and garden that you can add to enrich your compost.

WASTE CAN WAIT! Making the most of your food

These are challenging times we’re currently living through, especially when it comes to household food management. We don’t know if we’re buying too much or not enough. Can we use leftovers? What is the best way to stock a fridge?

However, thinking positively we can use this as an opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with some skills we may have lost in the hustle and bustle of modern life and do more with the food we have.

Now more than ever we all need to make sure we aren’t wasting any food – whether that’s buying or cooking too much, buying the wrong thing, or storing food incorrectly.

So, what can you do to reduce the amount of food you throw away and use more of what you’ve got? Whether you’re going to a supermarket or you’re shopping online follow the tips below to save food and almost certainly save money…

• Write a shopping list! The most obvious but best one of all. Check what is in the cupboard, fridge and freezer before shopping and write out what you need.

• Plan your meals in advance. Breakfast, dinner, tea – know what you need before you buy. You could even write it out and stick in on the fridge door!

• Check the dates on food regularly and use foods with the shortest date first

• Smaller packs of bread (which still have the same size slices) are great if you’re not going to eat a big loaf before it goes off. If you do buy a big loaf why not freeze half and toast straight from frozen?

• Freeze milk – you need never pour milk down the sink again. When it’s coming up to its use-by date, and definitely still smells fresh, simply put it in the freezer. Defrost fully in the fridge and use within 5–7 days. You could even freeze it in an ice cube tray.

• Simple but a classic – measure portion sizes to help avoid cooking or serving too much food.

• Be creative with using up leftovers – most will keep for two days in the fridge if they are well wrapped (apart from rice).

• Speaking of leftover rice – rinse it with cold water and tip it into a large shallow container. Cool it as quickly as possible (ideally within an hour) and it will keep in the fridge for up to a day. Make sure your rice is piping hot when you reheat it – and then enjoy.

• Cook once, eat twice. There might be time when you’ve cooked too much food. A great way to keep it out of the bin is to create single portions in tupperware and freeze them for later. You, your partner and your family will always have a healthy meal to reheat when cooking seems like a chore.

• Keep your foods in the right parts of the fridge – this prevents cross-contamination (and keeps them good for longer). In a nutshell, keep ready-to-eat food on the top shelves and fruit and veg in the bottom drawers. Wrap or cover open items and put raw meat, poultry and fish in sealed containers to avoid keep raw away from cooked foods.

• To extend the life of food beyond its date, freeze it before the date and defrost and use within 24 hours.

• When you get your food home, keep it in its original packaging and follow on pack instructions to keep food at its best. If you buy your fruit and veg loose they can also last longer if stored properly in a bag that is lightly tied in the fridge.

• Re-sealable packs for cheese prevent it drying out, particularly important in the fridge. If your cheese of choice doesn’t have a re-sealable pack, make sure you wrap it well in cling film, foil or in a plastic tub

We hope our baker’s dozen of tips helps you manage your household food better. For more information and tips, advice and recipes for leftovers and to help waste less food visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.

“All the Household Waste Recycling Centres will be closed for the foreseeable future – do not make a journey to any of our Centres as you will be turned away.

“We’ve made this decision to protect residents, staff at the sites, and the wider public.

“We of course apologise for the inconvenience this may cause residents but we would ask that everyone follows the Government’s strict instructions at this time and not make any non-essential journeys and undertake non-essential activities. We are working with our District Councils partners in order to maintain kerbside waste collection services, and will provide further updates with them on this in the coming hours and days.”

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